Penn Station Service Disrupted After Train Fire; NJ Transit and Amtrak Suspended, LIRR Restored

A fire in the West Side Rail Yard near Penn Station disrupted the morning commute on Friday, causing major delays for NJ Transit and Amtrak riders in New York City. The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. near 10th Avenue and 31st Street, where thick black smoke was seen rising from the area just west of Penn Station. Emergency crews responded quickly and remained on scene for hours as firefighters worked to control the blaze and assess damage to the rail yard.

According to fire officials, the fire involved an Amtrak work train engine that caught fire on Track 11. FDNY Deputy Chief Michael Barvels said crews used an emergency exit stairwell to reach the fire because entering through Penn Station itself would have made the hose line route too difficult. Firefighters called for a second alarm due to the intensity of the smoke, heat, and hazards inside the rail yard, including electrical risks and tripping hazards.

Authorities said five workers, believed to be railroad employees, were injured in the incident. Two of the injuries were described as serious, while three of the workers declined medical treatment at the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The rail disruption had a significant impact on commuter rail service Friday morning. NJ Transit and Amtrak service remained suspended for much of the early morning hours, while Long Island Rail Road service resumed around 5:45 a.m. Amtrak said it expected service to remain suspended until noon. Officials urged commuters to avoid the area along 10th Avenue between 31st and 33rd streets and to use alternate travel routes where possible.

Several transit agencies put cross-honoring measures in place to help passengers continue their trips. LIRR tickets were being cross honored on the subway at several locations, including 34 St-Penn Station, Forest Hills-71 Av, Kew Gardens, Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport on the E line, Grand Central-42 St on the 4, 5, 6 and 7 lines, and Woodside-61 St on the 7 line. NJ Transit also diverted Midtown Direct service to Hoboken, and rail tickets and passes were being accepted by NJ Transit, private carrier bus service, and PATH at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken, and 33rd Street in Manhattan.

Crews continued working to fully extinguish the fire and determine how many tracks could safely return to service. The heavy emergency response and prolonged shutdown created widespread delays for thousands of morning commuters in and around Penn Station, one of the busiest rail hubs in the country.